Endoscope



Oct. 4, 1932. R. yl-l. WAPPLER 1,380,551

ENDOSCOPE Filed Oct. 5, 1929 '2 Sheets-Sheet l Oct. 4, 1932.

R. H. WAFPLER ENDO-SCOPE Filed oct. 5, 1929' 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR l ORNEY Patented Oct. 4, 1932 REINHOLDH. WAPPLER, OFYONKERS, NEW 'YORK ENDoscoPE Vimplicati@ mea octber 5, 192.9; serial No, 397,496.

' a locking arrangement which is not only ex# tremely simple from a structural standpoint, but which is also operable and controllable in the simplest possible manner by the user.

Furthermore, my improved locking device serves firmly and eiiiciently to hold the two mutually telescoped members in proper relationship until again released.

From another aspect, it is an object of my invention to provide a fenestrated endoscopic tube with an improved Vtype of obturator, and for providing means for not only firmly and securely looking the obturator in proper relationship,

but also automatically providing for the necessary lateral adjust-V ment of the obturator head.

One of the main features of my invention lies in the provision of a. locking ring mounted for rotation coaxially with respect to the endoscope as a whole. In a preferred form, this ring is provided at the rear end of the endoscopic tube member and is provided with a radiallyprojecting handle capable of eX- peditious manipulation by the finger of the operator to effect either a locking or a release of the endoscopic tube and whatever complementary member may be associated rtherewith. i

Inasmuch as the endoscopic tube isassociated from time to time with various types of complementary members, it is another feature of my invention to provide a locking v arrangement of such a character that all types of complementary members may inexpensively and with great. simplicity be provided with suitable means for cooperating'rin the contemplated manner with the endos seopie tube.

Another important feature of my inven tion lies in the'provision of a locking device which serves not onlyto hold the endoscopic tube and its complementary member infirm though releasable inter-engagement, but also to draw the complementary member longiv tudinally and thereby assure thorough engagement thereof. n'

I 'achieve the foregoing objects, and such other objects as'may hereinafter appear or be pointed out, in the manner illustratively exemplified in the accompanying drawings wherein- Figure lis a perspective view of an endoscope embodying the features of my present invention;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of my im# proved obturator; i

Figure 3 is a'perspective view .of atelescope, illustrative of the general type of complementary member adapted to be employed with the endoscopic tube member of Figure l;

Figure 4 is a side view upon an enlarged scale and partly broken away of the endoscopic tube member of Figure l shown in preliminary association with the obturator of Figure 2; v

Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 4 showing the forward end of the endoscopic tube with the obturator in final association therewith;

Figure 6 is an exploded view of several of the elements of my improved attachment or locking portion;

. Figure 7 is a view taken inthe same direction as Figure 4, showing the rear end ofthe endoscopic tubein association with the rear end of the obturator before the latter is locked.

Figure 8 is a view similar to Figure 7, showing the obturator locked and advanced; and

Figure 9 is an end view. taken substantiallyalong the line 9-9 of Figure 4.

In Figure l, I have shown the endoscopicV tube 10 associated with a complementary member designated generally by the reference numeral 1l and comprising, for illustrative purposes, a set of catheter or instrument guides. The rear end of these'catheter 355 as 'to 'obturateand render harmless the rear guides may be seen at 12 and 13. This complementary member is ,also provided with the eyepiece 14 mounted on the rear end of a telescopic. tube, and with a mechanically Operated catheter detlector, the control ofv 17 controlling thea'dmission of irrig-ating'V fluid, such as water.

So far as the features of my presentiinlv vent-ionare concerned, it is importantto-note only that the tube member V10 is'provided' near its Vforward end with a lateral enestra 18 tand with fa lamp 19 mounted at `the ferwardend .et the latter; `and that vthe rear end of the tuloe `10 isfprovided with the attaching .portion 2O hereinafter more fully to be described.

VIn Figure 2, VI have shown the -obturator which is wdesigned for use with .the endoscopic .tube member .10. The -obturator 21' constitutes V.one of -several Acomprlementary members .adapted Ato be employed from time to time with the tube member 10. 1t is provided at its forward 'end with arhead22 having a main forward ace2'3 anda rear .inclined face 24. The head 22 is designed `to cooperate with .the fenestra .18 for .the purposel of obturating the latter. More particularly., the main surtace 23 isprovided with the projection 25 adapted lto position itself snugiy .and Aaccurately within the fenestra .18 so curved and dangerous edge 26 of the ene'stra i8... l The ohturator 21 'is provided vat its -rear A end with the hand grip 27 and with the .at-A

.taclnnent collar or hub 28, the latter being provided with a pair-of oppositely directed radial pins .29 .whose function `will be pres-V ently. described. -l

'The sametype of attachmenthub is shown in Figure 3 at 30 mounted upon the rear end oaftelescope 31 illustrative .eta second :type of complementary member employed'with the endoscopie tube 10. VThe VVtelescope 31 has the eyepiece 32, vand it is particularlyto be .noted` that thehu'b 30 is provided with the oppositely 'disposed radial pins 33 .arranged 'in ra manner .similar Ato that fof fthe pins .29..

VReferring for the moment to Figure`6.,l will .describe Vthe .attachment portion .provided on the rear end of the tube .10 and .con-v Ist'ituting an important feature of my pres-v ent invention. Thisattachment portion constitutes the main sleeve element .20 having the rearwardly extending skirt34 of slightly reduced diameter. The. opening .35 representsthe opening into which one .of the petcocksv .17 is positioned.- Y

The skirt .34 is provided with the .two longitudinally arrangedslots 36 and 37, `each `of these slots being open-ended toward the rear. The vsl-:irt b34 is also provided with'the circumferentially arranged slot 38 whose function will be presently described.

Mounted upon the skirt 34, but shown in exploded relationship in Figure 6, is a locking ring 39. This ring is provided with an inwardly fdirected pin. 4.0 shown most lclearly in Figure 7 and adapted to engage within the circumferentially arranged slot 38 for the .purpose olf limiting `the `rotative movement oi the `ring 39 with respect to the sleeve 20, and hence with respect to the endoscopic tube 10. `At the rear, the ring 39 is provided with the portion 41 'of' slightly enlarged diameter, and carried this portion is av radially proj-ecti-ng handle 42. The ring 39 is provided with a pair vof gci-reu-mferentially .arranged slots 43 ,and 44 symmetrically positioned in dia-metric relationship] The main portion of eac-h "of" the :sl-ets 43 and -44 extends complete-ly through'lthe wall of the ring 39., but each ,slot A.is provided with -an entrance portion which is longitudinally :arran ged. 'Ih-us, the slot 43 is provided with the entrance por- .ti-on 45 .adapted to lalign and .register withthe slet 36 when the ring 39 is properly positioned; and -the slot 44fisprovided with a similar `entrar-ice portion ,46 adapted to .al-i gn and register with the slot13f? -in a similar manner. The-entrance portions45 and 46 do not extend completely throughthewall of the ring portion 4l.

In accordance vwith one` Jeat-ure ci my invention, the slots 43 and 44 .are hel-ically iarranged. Forexampleftheclosed end 'of the slot 43isurthea forward vthan 4the rear portion which communicatesvwith the entrance portion 45g and the ,same is true 'of the slot 44. Y v Figure, I have `also lshow-n vthe `hand grip 27 of the obturator .21 along with the yattachment hub 28 .and JIone of the pins 29..

` VOnce Vtlm-.sleeve 20 v.and the locking ring .39 are assembled (during manuta'ctu-re), .it is possible torotate the ring throngha.slight arc limited .only Yby the inter-engagement of thefpin 40within the s101338. lNhen the locking ring fis one extreme position, .the entrance portions 45 and 46 register andalign respectively with .the rearrends'of .the slots 36 theydot and'dash position oi" this Figure will .l

cause .the .rearwalls of the slots 43 and 44 respectively to engage .and advance the pins 29. When so advanced, .thefparts assume the .relationship illustrated vin Figure 8and it is to be noted that the pins 29 .are not only firmly locked against Withdrawal from the slots 36 and 37, but are also in an advanced position. Compare, foreXample, the position of the pin 29 in Figure 7 with respect to the closed end of the slot 36, with the position of the same pin 29 in Figure 8 with respect to the same closed end. Y

It will thus be seen that a firm mutual inter-engagement has been effected in 'an eX-v tremely simple manner between the endoscopic tube member 10 and the complementary member typified by the obturator 21. The same eflicient intereengagementmay be effected between the tube member 10 and any of the other members, such as the telescope 31 or thecatheter and instrument-guiding member 11 of Figure 1. Furthermore, it is to be noted that `a release, to permit withdrawal of the telescoped member, may be effected in an equally simple manner by simply-shifting the handle 42 back to the full-line position of Figure 9. Y

Furthermore, the advancement of the pins 29, or the corresponding pins on the other members, assures a very firm and thorough inter-locking engagement With the endoscopic tub-e 10, For example, if the hubs 28, 30, etc. are slightly tapered, the advancement by means of the. helical slots 43 and 44 has an effect similar to the forcing of a tapered cork into a bottle neck; and by the same token, the retraction of the pins ren-v ders the subsequent Withdrawal fromV the endoscopic tube 10 extremely simple and uncomplicated. Y

Animportant feature of my invention lies in connection with the obturator head 22, and the operation of my improved construction depends in a large measure upon the eiiicient and simple advancement and retraction of the obturator 21 in the manner hereinbefore described and illustrated in Figures 7-9.

The obturator head 22 is so shaped and sized that it will fit snugly between the walls of the tube 10, as shown most clearly in fulllines in Figure 4. Furthermore, the obturator is so shaped that under normal condi* tions the head 22 will spring toward the closed side of the tube 10. rIhus, when the obturator shown in full-lines in Figure 4 is advanced to the po-int Where the pins 29 are lpositioned as in Figure 7 the head 22 will assume,` the dot and dash position of Figure 4. It is to be noted that the inclined rear surface 24 has encountered an inclined abutment 47 provided by me behind the lamp 19 and opposite the fenestra 18. At this point, the obturator is not yet in proper position for'completely blunting and rendering harmless the rear edge 26 of the fenestra 18. The final advancement of the obturator, however, by manipulation of the handle 42 and advancement of the pins 29:, causes the surface 24 to slidealong the `inclined abutment 47 and thereby to force the head 22 laterally into the fenestra 18, as shown most clearly .in Figure 5. The lateral shifting of the head from the dot and dash position of Figure 4 to the position of Figure 5 is extremely slight, but is of extreme importance, for it is to be noted that in Figure 5 the outer surface of the projection 25 is flush -with the outer'. surface of the tube 10, and in this way the edge 26 has been effectively blunted. The obturator head 22 is firmly held in this proper position by virtue of the firm engagement of the rear surface 24 thereof with the inclined abutment 47. Vhen the obturato-r is aO'ain to be withdrawn the maf 'i ment 47 and the advancement action of the handle 42, I am enabled entirely to dispense with the necessity for providing an articulated or similarly complicated obturator head, and I amV enabled to provide the obturator in the one-piece construction illustrated. At the same time, it is to be noted that u the fenestra 18 is eliiciently bluntedin a reliable manner. A

In general, it will be noted that I ,have provided an instrument of extreme simplicity and whose advantages will befully ape i preciated by those skilled in the art. Obviously, however, changes in the details herein described and illustrated for the purpose of explaining the nature of my invention may be made by those skilled in the art with-v out departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as expressedin the appended claims. It is therefore intended that these details be interpreted as illustrative andnot in a limiting sense.

' Having thus described my invention and ill() illustrated its use, what I claim as new and y desire to sec-ure by Letters Patent is- 1. In combination with an endoscopic tube member, sertable member, one of said members having a complementary longitudinally ina slotted attachment portion and the other having a pinV adapted to enter said slot, and barrel-cam means carried` by said slotted member for engaging and locking said pin in said' slot so as to hold the members in mutually associated relationship.

2. In combination with an endoscopic tube member, a complementary longitudinally insertable member, one of said members having a slotted attachment portion and the other having-a pin adapted to enter said slot, and means carried by said slotted member for releasably engaging and lockingV said pin in i said slot so as to hold the members in mutually 'associatedA relationship, said 'means comprising a rotatable locking ring coaxially mounted with respect to said members and provided With a longitudinal entrance and exit slot for said pin. i

3. ln combination with an endoscopic tube member, a kcomplementary longitudinally insertable member, one of said members having aslotted attachment portion and the other having a pin adapted to enter said slot, and means carried by said slotted member for releasably engaging and locking said pin in said slot so as to hold the memb-ers in mutually associated relationship, said means comprising a rotatable locking ring coaXially mounted With respect to said. members and provided with a circumferentially 4arranged slot which crosses said iirstlnamed slot.

4;. In combination With an endoscopic tube member, a complementary longitudinally insertable member, one of said members having a slotted attachment portion and the other having a pin adapted to enter said slot, and means carried by said slotted member for rcleasably engaging and locking said pin in said slot so as to hold the members in mutually associated relationship, said means comprising a rotatable locking ring coaXially mounted With respect to said-members and provided VWith a circumferentially arranged slot which crosses said irst-named slot; said circumferential slot having an entrance portion adapted to alinev and register With said iirst-named slot. -5. ln combination With an endoscopic tube provided with a longitudinally slotted attachment portion, Va complementary longitudinally insertable member provided With a pin adapted to enter said slot, and barrel-cam means carried by said tube at said attachm-ent portion for engaging and locking said pin in said slot so as to holdsaid member Within said tube. y i

6. In combination with an endoscopic tube provided with a longitudinally slotted attachment portion, a complementary longitudii nally insertable member provided with a pinV adapted to enter said slot, and a rotatable barrel-cam locking 'ring carried by said attachment portion for engaging and locking said pin in said slot so astohold said member Within said tube, said locking ring being co-V aXially mounted With respect to said tube.

7. In combination with an endoscopic tube provided with an attachment portion at its rear end, said attachment portion having a longitudinal open-ended slot, a complementary longitudinally insertable member provided Witha radial pin adapted to enter said slot, and a rotatable locking ring carried by said attachment portion-and adapted upon rotation thereof to engage and lock said pin Within said slot: said locking ring being provided With aradialhandle and having a slot ing said pin in said slot and also advancing said pin longitudinally in said slot so as to draw and holdl said members rmly into mutually locked'relationship. i

9. ln combination with an endoscopictube member, complementary longitudinally insertable member, one of said members having a longitudinally sloted attachment portion andthe other having a pin adapted to enter saidrslot, and means carried by said slotted memservor engaging andA locking said'pin in said slot and also advancing saidpin longitudinally in said slot so as to draw and hold said members rmly into mutually locked relationship; said means comprising a rotatable barrelncam ring coaXially mount*- ed with respect to said members.

vl0. In combination with an endoscopic tube member, av complementary longitudinally insertable member, one of said memers having a slotted attachment portion and the other having a pin adapted to enter said slot, and means carried by said slotted member for releasaoly engaging and locking said pin in said slot and also advancing said pin `ongitudinally in said slot so as to draw and holdv said members firmly into mutually loc-lied relationship; said. means Comprising a rotatable barrel-cam ring` CoaXially mounted With respect to said members and provided with helical slot crossing said vfirst-named slot.

1l, ln combination with an endoscopic tube member, a complementary longitudinally insertabl-e membenone ci said members having a slotted attachment portion and the-other having a pin adapted to enter said slot, and means carried by said slotted member -or releasably engaging and flocking said pin in said slot and also advancing said pin-longitudina'lly in said slot so as to draw and hold said members iirmlv'into mutually locked relationship saidr means comprising a rotatable barrel-cam ring coaxially mounted with respect to said members and provided with a helical slot crossing said first-named slot; said helical slot having y an entrance portion adapted to aline andiregister with said firstnamed slot.' p fl2. In g combination with an endoscopic tube providedwvith an attachment portion atYY itsrear end, said attachment portion having a longitudinal open-ended slot, a complementary longiturbina ly insertablev member provided .Witha radial pin adapted to enter said slot, and a rotatablebarrelcam lringV carried by said attachment portion and adapted upon rotation thereof to engage and lock said pin within said slot and also advance the pin longitudinally in said slot.

13. In combination with an endoscopic tube provided with an attachment portion at its rear end, said attachment portion having a longitudinal open-ended slot, a complementary longitudinally insertable member provided with a. radial pin adapted to enter said slot, and a rotatable barrel-cam ring carried by said attachment portion and adapted upon rotation thereof to engage and lock said pin within said slot and also advance the pin longitudinally in said slot; said barrel-Cain ring being provided with a radialk handle and having a helical slot which crosses said first-named slot.

14. In combination with an endoscopic tube having a lateral fenestra and a rear a+- tachment portion, an obturator longitudinally insertable into said tube and having a head at its forward end, means carried by said attachment portion for-engaging said obturator and advancing the same into said tube, and means adjacent to said fenestra to force said obturator head laterally into said fenestra as the obturator is advanced.

15. In combination with an endoscopic tube having a lateral fenestra and a rear attachment portion, an obturator longitudinally insertable into said tube and having a head at its forward end, means carried by said attachment portion for engaging said obturator and advancing the same into said tube, and means adjacent to said fenestra to force said obturator head laterally into said fenestra as the obturator is advanced; said last-named means comprising an inclined abutment in the endoscopic tube opposite said fenestra.

16. In combination with an endoscopic tube having a lateral fenestra and a rear attachment portion, an obturator longitudinally insertable into said tube and having' a head at its forward end, said head having a main surface adapted to fit snugly into said fenestra and an inclined rear surface, means carried by said attachment portion for engaging said obturator and advancing it into said tube, and an inclined abutment within said tube and positioned to be encountered by said rear surface during said advance to force said main surface laterally into said fenestra.

17. In combination with an endoscopic tube having a lateral fenestra and a rear slotted attachment portion, an obturator longitudinally insertable into said tube and having a head at its forward end and a radial pin at its rear end, said pin being adapted to enter said slot, a locking ring carried by said attachment portion and adapted to engage and lock said pin within said slot and also to advance the pin longitudinally in said slot, and means in said tube for automatically forcing said head laterally into said fenestra when said pin is engaged and advanced.

18. In combination with an endoscopic tube having a lateral f enestra and a rear slotted attachment portion, an

and lock said pin within said slot and also to advance the pin longitudinally in said slot, and means in said tube for automatically forcing said head laterally into said fenestra when said pin is engaged and advanced; said locking ring comprising a rotatable barrel-cam coaxially mounted with respectV to said tubes; and said means comprising an inclined abutment opposite said fenestra and encounterable by said head.

19. In combination with an endoscopic tube having a lateral fenestra at its forward end, an obturator longitudinally insertable into said tube and having a head at its forward end, and means carried by said endoscopic tube adjacent to said fenestra to force said obturator head laterally into said fenestra as the obturator is advanced.

In witness whereof I have signed this specification this 30 day of September, 1929.

REINHOLD H. VAPPLER. 

